I was having coffee and donuts with neighbors this morning as we do every Friday when the fast-paced conversation suddenly jackknifed in the middle of the table just like a big rig would, causing a verbal pile up about the unemployment situation in Oregon. Presently we’re at a little over twelve percent with rural counties running higher than that. Oregon! One of the first to get hit in the ass and the last to recover.
Our donut crew consists entirely of seniors who in case you didnt know it are also affected by the socialistic policies (thats my opinion) of this administration that are resulting in the meltdown of our U.S. economy. Who we voted for at this juncture really doesnt matter, even if we cant recognize what the real reasons are for the job losses and high prices or who is behind it all. What is important is were all Americans and we all feel the results.
Maria, the 85-year old matriarch widow who sat on my right has a pretty good retirement income and for the most part doesn’t have to worry. She can have a gardener mow her lawn, she take trips and really doesn’t do without. But she is very concerned for her kids who all live in California, which is experiencing an economic meltdown.
On my left sat Pete, in his seventies who suffers from a type of palsy but has a great sense of humor and tries to live out his days not thinking too much about economics. His wife Doris however, is very concerned. They’ve already had to sell their home because they just couldn’t afford to stay there any more and now they live in a much smaller apartment. I’m sure she wonders what will become of her when Pete dies.
Bob, the diabetic and his wife Paula sit together. Bob just had part of his stomach removed for some reason and lost some weight, too. He and Paula (both in their sixties) are officially retired but Bob still has to do the books and taxes for some local companies in order to make ends meet. It seems they’re feeling the pinch, too.
Being a sixty-six year old guy it would be nice to retire. So many people just assume that I’m enjoying the fruits of my past labor and living the good life. Here’s a wake-up call for all of those that think everyone my age is actually retired. Many, many of us can’t afford retirement. In fact, I predict that it’s going to get a lot worse for seniors in the future if the economy continues as it is.
Let’s use me as an example. I compose articles to submit online. This is one of many published on the Internet. Since Social Security doesn’t pay me enough to live on and I have no pension, this is how I make my living. No complaints! It’s my reality and so long as I can still continue writing, I’ll survive and thrive.
In any case, next Friday the donut crew will gather around the table again, I suppose. The talk will be about the news or whatever and life will continue. At least until the day comes when one of us eats their final donut. Until then, our gathering represents a microcosm of seniors who are pretty much ignored in this country including how our sabotaged economy is affecting us.
Our illustrious politicians all pander to us for our valuable votes. They promise all sorts of things and even the world which of course is not theirs to give; all for the price of a ballot. But when so many gullible, trusting seniors vote them into office they are promptly ignored and dismissed. The politicians know that we’ll probably die off pretty soon anyway so not to worry. Besides, there’s a whole new generation of seniors coming down the pike that they can lie to for votes.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, Ron Knowles reveals insightful lessons on how to learn and earn at home from his website and even has an educational newsletter that helps people decide on the best business choice for doing so. For those who need to make more money and stay at home, his system is insightful.